Sturmen und Angreven:

The art of the assault in WWII reenacting

In spite of what many people think, WWII reenacting isn't just a bunch
of middle aged guys running around the woods reliving cowboys and indians
fantasies from childhood. Well, actually, it is just that, but it is also
much more. At a WWII event, a person can get a good sense of the tactics
employed by the soldiers of the Big One. One of the most important tactics
was that of the assault, or, the advance on and capture of a fixed and
prepared position.

In the field, the reenactor often runs into positions that the enemy
has prepared (usually crudely at events) to receive an attack. Since the
goal at most events is capture ground, the soldier and his comrades must
advance. The question is, however, how to do so safely. The solution comes
in two forms: go around the enemy; or, go through them. Going around is
the preferred method since it affords the attacker an opportunity of
manuevering the enemy into the open, or attacking him from behind. Going
around an enemy position is very difficult though, given the amount of
stealth and speed required to pull it off. Many reenactors (who are not in
truth real soldiers) just can not infiltrate a defensive system in this
way. So, the reenactor is left with an assault on his hands.

The first thing that the Gruppenfuhrer (squad leader) should do is take
stock of his equipment. The number one item for a successful assault is
an ample supply of hand grenades. Normally, the machine gun is the number
one weapon in an assault, but given the fact that most reenactors do not
respond historically to suppressive fire, the reenactor must make certain
changes to fit his environment. The machine gun, while useful, is not
essential, and an enterprising gruppenfuhrer can make a successful assault
with enough men and grenades. Ten men usually can take a position manned
by 15 men (on a good day) or less.

With grenades and manpower on your side, an assault is a snap if done
right. The path of advance that the gruppenfuhrer chooses is crucial. If
the squad is ordered to advance over open ground, forget it, they will be
toast. Instead, select a wooded approach that will allow the men cover for
bounding forward. Next, take two men from the squad and designate them the
grenadiers (make sure you give them plenty of grenades.) Then make three
men your suppressionary fire section. This leaves you 5 men for the actual
assault. (note: if you have an MG, you can use that as your suppression
element and add two more men to you assault team.) In the long approach,
or the approach while you are still PROBABLY (never assume) out of sight,
make sure that as each man bounds forward, he has a buddy watching him
with his weapon ready to fire. Remember, each man should bound no more
than 3 seconds before concealing himself, preferrably behind cover. Then
the forward men can ready themselves as their partners bound past them,
etc.

As the squad approaches, the gruppenfuhrer should look for a good spot
from which to launch the last phase of the assault, the angrev(sp?). At
this time, the gruppenfuhrer should position his suppression element and
move forward with the rest of the squad. At this point the suppression
element needs to be firing on the enemy position very rapidly. The
gruppenfuhrer should take great care in looking out for the safety of his
grenadiers on the approach. The grenadies should then toss their grenades
into the enemy's position. Usually, it is a good idea to throw a whole
bunch of grenades over as large an area as possible. Often at this stage,
the enemy will leave their position,and, if the suppression element is
still firing, then they will get the enemy. Once the grenades have gone
off, the gruppenfuhrer should give the command 'angrev!' and lead the men
over the top with weapons at the ready. Naturally, shoot anyone left in
the position and then quickly move the suppression element into the
position in case of a counter-attack.

This method is tried and true and has saved my bacon at numerous events.
I have both participated in, and directed, assaults using this basic
outline. Remember though, never be affraid to improvise on the
battlefield. This is both historically correct and sometimes necessary
because this manual is by no means definitive for all cases. It assumes
(gasp!) that the terrain available is wooded. For cases where the ground
in front of the enemy is open, see upcoming installments here, namely:
Attacking over open ground; or, Attacking, and subsequently dying, over
open ground.